By JOHN FLOWERS
MONTPELIER — The Vermont House on Tuesday voted 77-63 in favor of a bill that would allow organic farmers to seek damages from the manufacturers of genetically modified seeds, if those products taint their crops through pollen drift or some other accidental event.
The controversial measure is far from a done deal, however. It now requires Senate approval, after which it would require the signature of Vermont Gov. James Douglas, a Middlebury Republican.
Douglas administration spokesman Jason Gibbs minced no words on Wednesday when asked whether the governor would support the House-passed measure.
By JOHN FLOWERS
MIDDLEBURY — Work crews soon will launch the first of what will be two of the busiest municipal construction seasons in Middlebury’s history, with reconstruction of Seminary Street; replacement of water/sewer infrastructure along College Street; and installation of better signalization on Court Street highlighting this year’s projects.
“The next few years will be kind of painful, but once we’re done, we should be set for a couple of years,� Middlebury Director of Operations Dan Werner said.
Work is scheduled to get under way later this month, when Tom Vanacore & Co. of Bridport begins the last phase of masonry work on the Battell Bridge in downtown Middlebury. The company has already completed filling cracks between the large stone blocks that make up the bridge’s three massive arches. Crews this spring will perform the same kind of work on the bridge railings on both sides of Main Street.
